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British Royal Marines have conducted anti-terrorism maritime operations training aboard a passenger ferry in Sydney Harbour.
Plymouth-based 42 Commando conducted the specialist boarding operations and concluded the training using US Black Hawk helicopters, US Special Forces Chinooks and specialist raiding craft.
Personnel also took part in building clearance training in NSW.
“As part of Australia’s largest-ever military exercise, known as Talisman Sabre 25, marines from 42 Commando worked with counterparts from the host nation, the USA, Japan and Singapore in Sydney Harbour,” according to a recent statement from the British Royal Navy.
Plymouth-based 42 Commando are experts in this type of operation, recently scoring successes in the Middle East with HMS Lancaster, including seizing one and a half tonnes of illegal narcotics worth £30 million.
“The Commandos are required to board and seize control of suspect vessels; an extremely dangerous and complex mission which requires constant honing.”
The Royal Navy has sent the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales to lead the United Kingdom’s input into Talisman Sabre 2025. The carrier and strike group have been operating off Australia’s northern coast and operating in conjunction with the USS George Washington carrier group.
In addition, the HMS Prince of Wales hosted the US Marine Corps and MV-22 Osprey aboard the flagship’s flight deck.
Earlier this month, the United Kingdom, Australia and the US jointly tested their ability to communicate with underwater autonomous systems as part of AUKUS Pillar II’s Maritime Big Play series. Japan also joined the activities as a participant for the first time.
Maritime Big Play enables participants to rapidly test and integrate autonomous systems with conventional platforms. During the activity this year, Australian personnel were able to transfer mission control of a United Kingdom extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle, located in the UK, back to the UK remotely from Jervis Bay.
